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Congestion 'as bad as before the charge'
David Williams, Motoring Editor22.11.07
Congestion in central London is nearly as bad as it was before the C-charge was introduced, according to new figures.
Before Ken Livingstone brought in the scheme in February 2003, the average congestion level was 2.3 minutes of delay per kilometre.
The average in Transport of London's last six bi-monthly surveys was 2.27 minutes per kilometre, the London Assembly Conservatives claimed today.
During July and August, the rate rose to 2.6 and 2.7 minutes per kilometre, said Angie Bray, Tory congestion charge spokesperson.
"This shows congestion levels have now virtually reverted back to where they were just four years after the scheme was introduced and despite a £3 hike to £8," she said. "The charge has lost its main justification.
"It is no use blaming this on an increase in roadworks - the Mayor's own figures show that in 2006, for the first time, the number of cars entering the zone increased from the previous year. Surely now is the time to start thinking about an alternative way to tackle congestion."
Earlier this month the Standard revealed that traffic in the morning rush hour was running more slowly than before the scheme began.
TfL figures also showed that journey times during the day and evening peak in central London had fallen after initially speeding up. The average speed for driving to work in 2006-7 was just 9.3 mph - down from 9.9 mph in February 2003.
The slowdown is thought to be caused in part by extra traffic entering the central zone since the West London extension came into operation last February. More drivers are now entitled to claim the 90 per cent residents' discount or are exempted as they own an environmentally friendly vehicle. In addition, new bus lanes and schemes such as pavement widening have squeezed roadspace.
Motoring experts have warned the gridlock could worsen if Mr Livingstone brings in his proposed exemption for Band A and B vehicles including Fiestas, Micras and Polos.
TfL today defended the scheme. A spokesperson said: "Congestion charging has reduced traffic in the original zone by 21 per cent, some 70,000 cars every day. Without it, London would have ground to a halt.
"Last year we saw a near-doubling of street works. Much of this is urgently required - such as replacing ancient leaking water pipes.
"Angie Bray's suggestion that any resulting increase in congestion would be solved by abolishing the congestion charge defies the basic rules of logic. It would simply mean more traffic and worst congestion.
"The real issue is that TfL needs stronger powers to regulate the roadworks that have proliferated since the privatisation of utility companies.
"We're calling on the Government to bring forward regulations that will give us the powers to better coordinate street works."
Reader views (14)
The congestion charge is just a rip off.
I entered the congestion charge zone on 8th June without realizing. We learned about the matter only mid August when the tfl asked us to pay £180.00. It was a first reminder.
I never received their first letter.
When I sent a letter to tell them I did not receive the first letter, they wrote me my claim was irrelevant as I was not the registered keeper of the vehicle, which is my husband.
My husband sent them a letter but we've just received the reply that we did not send a representation within 28 days of the date of the service of the Penalty Charge Notice, which was impossible as we were not aware of the isssue at this date.
I really think I've been ripped off.
- Anne Dupre, London
C - charge is the most foolish remedy ever introduced for solving congestion in London.
- Sasha, London
The Congestion Charge will never be scrapped. Taxes aren't. Once they impose them, they're here to stay, matey. They might "freeze" it, but it'll never leave. It's an unwritten, unspoken law.
- Jay, London
Obviously not charging enough then..
- David H., London
They keep trotting out this "without it London would have ground to a halt" rubbish. But the fact is that, despite several years of declining numbers of vehicles entering town, the congestion has got steadily worse. Wasteful bus lane allocations (such as the 24hr one on Marylebone Rd), road closures, pinch points and traffic light rephasing, plus the bendy buses which clog up juntions, have all worsened the congestion. All of these have been driven by the Mayor.
- Bryan Armstrong, London
c-charge is taxing. It needs scrapping.
- Jacqueline, Hampstead, London
I reckon most of the increase in congestion is due to the increased population in the South-East. I now see far more foreign number plates around than, say, three years ago. We simply don't have the infrastructure to cope with all these extra people, that goes for schools, hospitals, prisons too.
- Mr T S Parkinson, Feltham, UK
Red Ken will be gone next year as there is a London election. Then we can cancel the silly c-charge system.
- Pete, London
The reason that congestion has increased again is simple. TFL and Livingstone have once again fiddled with the traffic light computers in order to increase congestion. They can then use the excuse that £8 a day is not enough and now it should be £15 or even higher.
- Adam, Harrow, Uk
The congestion charge was instigated to raise revenue, it has got nothing to do with improving traffic flow. If it had the desired effect it wouldn't raise any cash and King Ken would be forced to find another way to rip you all off.
- Keith Lonsdale, Doncaster
I am sure congestion is just as bad now as it was pre Charge. Which can only mean one thing. Livingstone and his pals are coining it. Where is it all going? The usual places - boondoggles (trips to India), grandiose, ideologically driven "schemes" and keeping the funds pouring into their gold plated protected pensions.
- Steve, London, UK
The charge has nothing to do with reducing congestion. Just another stealth tax which preys on the misery of commuters.
The only way to reduce congestion is to provide adequate rail links with a high frequency of trains into London and encourage firms to operate outside of the capital or stagger working hours.
I will happily vote for anyone who promises to abolish the charge along with anything else Ken Livingstone has ever had a hand in.
- James, Kensington
It used to take me 20 minutes at 8am to get from Chelsea Town Hall to Charing Cross Road on the old routemaster bus(with conductor)Now it can take anything up to an hour.Coming back from work in the evening is even worse-especially if there's a drop of rain.It is even worse at weekends-jams everywhere,with or without rain/roadworks.Kens turning London into a themepark(look at Trafalgar Square)and doesn't give a thought to the people who have to live and work here
- Maura Casey, London UK
Are we supposed to be surprised at this news. It was said before the charge was introduced it would make no difference to congestion. Ken Livingston has started a tax that will now spread to other boroughs and which will make no difference to the motorist, except in his pocket. Shame on the people who voted this guy in.
- Mrs J Meehan, Plymouth, England
